It was an unusual game from anyone’s point of view. Rain delayed the start about three hours so that it didn’t begin until around 10:00 pm CST. I’m sure there was a compelling reason why a championship game would start so late rather than be rescheduled for the next day, but I haven’t heard what it is. The home team’s pitcher would have benefitted from the day's rest and don’t even bother asking the visiting team how they would have felt. They played and the home team was at bat and down 3-0 when the rain started falling hard in the bottom of the fourth. There were two outs and a batter singled and then worked her way around the bases to score her team’s first run on three wild pitches doubtlessly abetted by the slick conditions. The visiting team’s coach came out and did the right thing --- pointed out what was happening and asked that the game be stopped. The home team’s coach came out and probably said something to the effect that “we played the top part of the inning, it’s only fair that they play their half before you stop the game.” The umpire ruled in favor of the visiting team and the game was halted for thirteen minutes. This is where it gets interesting.  Not exactly your typical softball strategy but there it is. The visiting team’s players did what is
normally done in inclement weather --- they left the field for the shelter of
the dugout. Meanwhile, the home team’s
players came out of their dugout and
started leading cheers for their fans.
They did this during the entire rain delay. The coaches were out there with them as well. This was in stark contrast to the visiting
team’s coach, who at one time was huddled in the dugout engulfed in her rain
gear looking as if she was riding out a tsunami.
The television cameras panned over the players and coaches in the rain and then into the dugout of the visiting team where mouths agape, they were watching their opponents. What are those girls doing out there in the rain? Why are they having such a good time? The simple answer is, they were playing to win but having fun --- way too much fun, on the way. If I told you that one team scored four runs after the game
was restarted and the other scored just one, you wouldn’t have trouble aligning
the teams with the tallies. The seeds for
victory were planted by their response to the rain. I’m guessing you also wouldn’t have any
difficulty seeing a principle here that extends far beyond sports to life
outside the lines. Whether it’s Paul and
Silas singing while under lockdown at Philippi or three young Hebrews defying a
king on the plain of Dura, there’s something transcendent about singing in the
rain, shining in the dark, and refusing to bow down to adverse circumstances. The Scripture would simply say, “For the joy of the Lord is your strength,” (Nehemiah 8:10). What's your response to the rain? Back to The world of sports Back to Home
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